GM Oshawa Supplier to Lay Off 250 Workers Amid Shift Cut Looms

TFT Global Inc. is laying off nearly 250 workers at General Motors' Oshawa plant, citing a shift reduction amid US tariffs. The move follows GM's announcement to cut a third shift at the plant, which builds the Chevrolet Silverado. Unionized employees are advised to understand their collective bargaining agreement as they wait for a possible extension of the termination notice. Workers are tense, with some holding out hope that they may still be saved from layoffs.

TFT Global Inc., an auto parts supplier to General Motors' Oshawa plant, is set to lay off nearly 250 workers, according to a termination notice posted inside the plant. The layoffs come as GM prepares to cut a third shift at the plant, which builds the Chevrolet Silverado, due to the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on the Canadian auto sector [1].

The layoffs are part of a broader trend of job losses in the automotive industry, as GM's plans to move to a two-shift operation are expected to result in about 750 GM workers being laid off, with projections of additional job losses for another 1,500 people in the supply chain [1]. The uncertainty surrounding the exact date of the shift reduction has left workers tense, with some hoping for a possible extension of the termination notice [1].

Unionized employees are advised to understand their collective bargaining agreement as they navigate the layoff process. Jeremy Herman, an employment lawyer, emphasizes the importance of knowing one's rights outlined in the collective bargaining agreement [1]. Meanwhile, the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association president, Flavio Volpe, highlights the anxiety felt by workers throughout the supply chain due to the impact of Trump's tariffs on their livelihoods [1].

The layoffs at TFT Global Inc. underscore the broader economic challenges faced by the Canadian auto industry under the current trade environment. As GM and other automakers adjust their production strategies in response to U.S. tariffs, the ripple effects are being felt throughout the supply chain, with workers and communities on edge [1].

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[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/gm-oshawa-supplier-to-lay-off-nearly-250-workers-shift-cut-1.7624398